
Book LIg? F ? 



Copyright^". 



5Ja 



COEXRIGHT DEPOSm 



FRIENDSHIP 

and 

Other Writings 

by 
ARTHUR FRANKLIN FULLER 

Author of 

An Odd Soldiery. 

Fifty Thousand Miles Backridden. 

A Book of Poems. 

The Golden Chalice. 

An Odd Romance. 

Music Lore, etc., etc. 



Published by the Author 

Care Wayside Press 

311 E. 4th St Los Angeles, Cal. 






Copyright, 1918 

by 
Arthur F. Fuller 






. /. 



FRIENDSHIP 
Revised and Enlarged 



Jubilate 

There's an oasis in the desert waste, 
There's an island in the deep; 
A trusty star in heaven is placed 
That my ship its course may keep ; 
There's a tender, lilting melody 
A-floating all around; 
New cheer and hope and harmony 
Through the love of a friend I've found! 

Rest 

As twilight folds the tired world in its comfort- 
ing, restful embrace, so doth Friendship enfold kin- 
dred spirits in its magic, mothering clasp ; filling the 
hearts and lives of those elect who taste its worth 
and power. It diffuses a subtle, potent charm, quick- 
ening the flagging fires of life with a rcMvifying in- 
fluence, which warms every member of one's being. 

The Giver 

Friendship freely gives of its best, yet is never 
impoverished thereby. It ennobles the giver and 
nourishes the recipient; it builds the former and 
sustains the latter. Hence, both partake of the fare 
sublime. It seeks no reward but the blessing of the 
object of regard, and counts service and sacrifice 
only privilege and pleasure. 

Solace 

It is a great thing to be able to stand alone or 
like a strong swimmer, to be able to breast the cur- 

1 



rents of life and circumstance without aid. But oh, 
what a precious thing it is to find a friend! Gently, 
so gently, the spell of Friendship descends upon the 
hungering soul with solace pure and never failing — 
a heavenly manna for those who wander in the wild- 
erness of selfish motives, conflicting interests and 
carking cares met with in our workaday world. 

Natural Craving 

The human heart craves appreciation and sym- 
pathy. When the individual has reached maturity 
there are generally many shattered ideais, wrecked 
hopes, disappointments and frustrated ambitions to 
wring and burden the heart. At the office or store, 
the work-shop or usual routine, there comes a some- 
thing which makes life bearable, duty tolerable, and 
the path better. The preachers call it "brotherly 
love," women call it the same minus the **brother- 
ly," but I call it Friendship. At all events, in it are 
summed up the mutual understanding, the fellow- 
ship, the approval of generous well-wishing, which 
is at once a source of cheer, backbone, a.id stimula 
tion, and of nourishment and sustenance to the soul 
as well. We have all noticed it, experienced it, en- 
joyed it, and cherished it as being something far too 
rare but O, so rich and grateful. 

Real Value 

If humanity could only be awakened to the worth 
of the practice of kindness, the folly of money-get- 
ting, the vanity of sense-tickling, and pleasure-seek- 
ing, there would be vastly more joy and far less woe 
in this beautiful world of ours. We scorn the idol- 
atrous heathen and continue to worship the idols of 



Wealth, Fame, Pleasure, and particularly Self. Each 
individual sooner or later realizes the need of a 
friend — the value that a friend could be — but oft- 
times not before many an opportunity has escaped 
for being one. But we should not forget that when 
a friend is found, a veritable mine of joy and help- 
fulness has been discovered. Almost any friend is 
good for something, but a worthy friend is one of 
God's most precious gifts. 

Good to be At Home 

How sweet, how restful it is, to have the privilege 
of laying aside the ma$k, the sham, the armor, the 
bluff of the Game of Life; and just feel free to be 
one's natural, real self — with a friend : to be loved 
for one's ideals, aspirations and conscientious ef- 
forts; fully appreciated, generously estimated as to 
character and worth. 

Inspiration 

There is Inspiration generated by Friendship — 
impetus to be one's nobler self. It is the adequate 
reward for all past endeavor; the Prize possessed, 
yet ever to be sought and kept, by faithful effort. It 
is the bottom of the otherwise bottomless pit of fail- 
ure, from which life can be revised on a better basis, 
in spite of disappointments, griefs — in spite of eve**y- 
thing that saps one's joy and vim. 

Necessity 

"No man liveth unto himself, and no man dieth 
unto himself," "He who would have friends, must 
show himself friendly," are two rich quotations from 
the Big Book. No one person is likely lo have all 



the faults, nor is anyone likely to have all the vir- 
tues. This is often noticeable in the marriage of two 
honest sincere persons. However they may try to 
live up to the highest ideals of marital success, there 
is something lacking in the companion. In another 
case wherein wreck has occurred to the marital ves- 
sel, but for the sake of children, or friends, or re- 
ligious notions, it may seem desirable for them to 
continue to live together. In these cases. Friend- 
ship is the legitimate, commendable, ennobling and 
effective remedy. And this applies to friends of the 
opposite, quite as much as to those of the same, sex. 

No Limit 

And how much may such friends love? Just 
all they want to — so long as selfishness and the 
list of concupiscence are faithfully kept out. Only 
the narrow, little, mean, covetous person will object 
to it and become jealous or critical regarding a 
wholesome, helpful, pure and lofty friendship. 
Those who are truly generous, will be glad for 
their legal partner to obtain elements they have 
personally been unable to furnish, and would grieve 
to stand in the way thereof. 

Association Sweet 

Friendship is the flower of harmony — the co- 
mingling of spirit and purpose — the essence of gen- 
erosity, kindness, consideration external to self's 
interests, good-will, sympathy, understanding and 
appreciation. There is peace in friendship. As the 
poet has it : 

''And when our tongues no words have found, 

4 



It's just seemed good to have you 'round." 
The communion of friends need not be oral, chiro- 
graphic, or physical. They do not need to be "en- 
tertained." Everything is beautifully spontaneous. 
The connection may be so tender as to be telepathic. 
All that persons so blessed know, is that they feel 
refreshed and revivified after a session with a con- 
genial soul. 

Depression's Master 

When the day is dark and cold and dreary and 
one feels blue, it is a good thing to rout low spirits 
by sitting down quietly and realizing you have been 
of use. New interest in life is thus engendered to be 
of more service — to help laboring humanity. 

An active conscience is a proof of the in-dwelling 
of the Holy Spirit ; to aspire is good, but to endeavor 
is better. There is no peace like that which comes 
from knowing one's duty and having done one's 
best to fulfill it; and man has no higher duty than 
to be a friend to man — to someone To get out and 
do something for someone is the very best remedy 
for "the blues." 

A Mission 

Friends are real treasures. No one need feel he 
lacks a mission in life so long as it is possible to be 
a friend to someone ; and no one need count himself 
poor so long as it is possible to boast one friend. Of 
all ambitions the noblest is to excel in loving, pure- 
ly, unselfishly — after the pattern of the Lord that 
bought us — even the Saviour, Christ Jesus. 
How to Qualify 

A great many people really do not know how to 
begin to be a friend to anyone, yet if advice were 



offered, it would be resented, because of selfishness. 
There is so much difference between an acquain- 
tance and a friend. So few there are of those whom 
time and circumstance have caused our lives to 
touch, who are doing other than that which will 
bring to them things they most desire, — amuse- 
ment, convenience, influence, or financial gain. But 
to qualify for Friendship one must cultivate an 
open, hearty, sincere and forgiving spirit — a dis- 
position to admire, appreciate and perceive the good 
in one's associates; a person must be accommodat- 
ing and readily interest himself and respond to the 
lives and needs of others. We must be of service — 
good for something to others, as we would have 
them be of value in some way to us. To be a real 
friend one must be constant, faithful, ready, eager 
to serve — sharer in w^eal or woe. 

The Difference 

The pseudo-friend is over-anxious to become 
established as confidential sharer in our store 
of good — over-willing to profit by our hold- 
ings or advantage — avail himself of material 
possessions. But a real friend is one who takes a 
genuine heart interest in another's welfare; whose 
affection, esteem, respect and co-operation can cer- 
tainly be looked for at all times! A trustworthy, 
congenial fellow-traveler along the way of life — one 
whose tastes and aspirations and fields of endeavor 
parallel our own ; is a well-wisher indeed and in 
truth; an intimate and agreeable companion. 

"By their fruits ye shall know them." Ready 
sympathy is such a solace — understanding, toler- 
ance and forbearance are such comforts. To be a 



friend is truest heroism. The greatest battles of 
history are those fought in the hearts and minds 
of individuals as they have agonized in their "garden 
of Gethsemane." The greatest victories are those 
won against circumstance, temptation and degen- 
erate tendencies under fire. 

Succour 

The sympathy of a friend heartens a struggler as 
can nothing else. It is hard for one to have his 
patient, earnest, repeated efforts, his fortitude and 
courage, go unrecognized — find no solution to prob- 
lems in the working of which the rule has been hon- 
estly applied without success ; to have careful, 
thoughtful building crumble and decay; and that, 
when he has put into it his all, be it much or little, 
of strength and intelligence — and a soul full of 
squareness. Such an one needs the buoy of sym- 
pathy, understanding, appreciation — that is, Friend- 
ship — an anchor in life's troubled sea. 

An Illustration 

There is a pseudo-friendship which is pretty good 
as far as it goes, but it goes not far enough to care 
much about because it has too much justice and not 
enough mercy in it. Let us take a case : 

Two boys who live near neighbors, grow up side 
by side, sharing as schoolmates, playmates and later 
are sent by their parents to the same college. Here 
also they are chums — they play and study together, 
smoke, eat and sleep together — and "raise the mis- 
chief together. When they graduate, they shake 
hands on the threshold of a new day — a day of in- 



dependent entrance upon the field of industrial bat- 
tle — vowing eternal friendship. 

After four or five years of ever-lessening frequency 
in their correspondence, one whom we will call 
Jack, receives a telegram from his old chum whom 
we will call Tom, which reads as follows : "Am in 
trouble, have been arrested; come here and go my 
bond." 

If Jack is a pseudo-friend he will consider: "Well 
now, that is too bad. I am certainly sorry to hear 
that my old friend Tom is in trouble I always did 
say I feared he would hang for his fool pranks. 
Wonder what he has been up to all these years 
since we left college? Wonder what kind of com- 
pany he has been keeping? He may be mixed up in 
some serious business. If he is, I cannot afford to 
take sides and mix up in it — I, a pillar of the church 
and highly respected in my community. No doubt 
I had better go slow and investigate a little." 

But if Jack is a real Friend, he will not hesitate 
longer than is necessary to kiss his wife or sweet- 
heart goodbye, and then he is off to do all he can 
for his old chum, Tom. He will, if necessary, put up 
his business, his home and his fortune without 
weighing the matter as to whether Tom is "worthy" 
— whether he is really "in bad," or is the victim of 
circumstance. Yes, he would give his lite blood for 
him if need be, provided he had not a higher duty 
elsewhere. For he knows that if Tom is a guilty 
man, he then would need a friend more than ever 
before in his life. 

Tests Welcomed 

A man should be brave enough to state his opin- 
ion, and attach his signature or give his affidavit, no 

8 



matter what the circumstances requesting- it may be. 
Less than a grain of sand in value, is that man who 
vaunts himself as a friend to one upon whom the 
world is showering its favors as the passing hero, 
with honors and applause; but who, in a darker 
hour, when everything is the reverse, skulks behind 
scruples to make sure that his own coat tails shall 
be clear in case he "stand by." Tests should not 
be sought — nor should they be side-stepped. But 
when the pinch does come, it should be welcomed 
as an opportunity to show power, stamina and 
backbone. 

No Return Demanded 
With the pseudo-friendship, it is like the selfish, 
or pseudo-love — a "give and take proposition," self- 
ish, from both participants. In such cases, unless 
there is objective return for every hand-clasp, every 
sprig of service and self-sacrifice, every loving 
glance, every tender vibration, every atom of pleas- 
ure, the nestling will soon take unto itself strong 
wings — will tear away from the tender bonds 
and no matter what wreck it leaves behind, 
will present its demands where they will be 
honored at face value. For such souls, we 
should not wish to change the order of things. 
To destroy Reciprocity would be to compel individ- 
ual starvation. Only, the attitude is wrong. To 
offer or try to claim such a friendship or love is 
like trying to pick up an empty April-fool's purse 
found in the roadway with a string attached. 

Recognition 

Friends, like poets, are born and not made; they 
are discovered, not manufactured at will, or accord- 



ing to design and convenience Two persons meet 
and instinctively know that somehow they belong 
to each other — that there exists between them, a 
bond nearer than that of kindred — a relationship, 
closer than that brought about by the accident of 
birth among those of the family. 

The old story in our Christian Bible, of David 
and Jonathan is too famiHar lo need any detailed 
mention here, but has furnished the basis for many 
a sweet reflection by those whose hearts are ready 
to respond to the call of comradeship — to do for one 
beloved without hope of reward — merely for the joy 
of the privilege of doing. 

Scarcely less famous and quite as sweet is the 
Bible story of the love between two women — Ruth 
and Naomi. Surely it is beautiful— worthy of emu- 
lation. Also in that sacred Old Book, i? the record 
of the Master's words : "Make friends even with 
the very mammon of unrighteousness (money)." 
And again, "Greater love hath no man than this; 
that a man lay down his life for his friends." And 
He did so. 

Happifying Aim 

The greatest achievement of life h to love and to 
be loved and the thing most worth while — the hap- 
pifying aim. But to love, unrequited, calls for no- 
bility of character which is not so easily attained. 
But surely, *Tt is more blessed to give than to re- 
ceive," and it is only selfishness that makes us desire 
pay for that which we bestow or offer. The soul 
of Friendship is generosity. 

10 



Scope 

But the question arises, "Is there to be no limit 
to the scope of friendship?" The answer is, that it 
is right to seek and claim all one can. It is proper 
to cull out the false and hold fast to the genuine- 
have an attitude of good-will to the former and of 
gratitude toward the latter. 

God's laws are operative — never fiiling. His rules 
are unbroken, immutable; if it were not so, our 
blessed, harmonious universe would go to pieces. 
Science assures us that the atoms, ions and electrons 
which compose even our steel structures, the walls 
and floors of our buildings, are constantly in motion ; 
that all of the materials which compose the human 
body are assembled in about ten m.onths, or in the 
case of the foetus, in nine months. 

Law of Attraction 

And what is it holds these atoms, togethei. 
whether in concrete structures, steel frames, build- 
ings or the human temple? The Law of Attraction 
And why do they not remain together always? Be 
cause the Law is that they remain together only so 
long as intelligent purpose is thereby fulfilled— so 
long as worthy, appreciable results are gained 
through continued association. 

So with friends. It is right to gain as many a? 
possible and get from each all of the love, time and 
attention that can be properly used, with respect to 
the mutual welfare. If we accept a friend, we also 
accept a degree of responsibility proportional to our 
influence. We may use, not mis-use nor abuse. We 
may take that which is necessary — no more. The 

11 



relationship may continue so long as ic is for the 
mutual good. "Defraud not thy brother." But in- 
sofar as the association does no injustice to anyone, 
fills out life, contributes to the jov^, well-being, in- 
spiration and helpful experience, it ^^annot constitute 
an infringement upon the Law of Kindness. The 
mission for the friend is to do good. To deny one 
the privilege of exercising benevolence and comrade- 
ship is a sin. 

Compensation 

Circumstance often compels association with per- 
sons who are not congenial, while others who are 
helpful and enjoyable are seldom seen 

"Ain't it strange that for some folks 

You don't care very much, 
And for others you just care a pile, 
And the folks you don't care for 

You see every day. 
And the others, just once in a while?" 

But even yearning, disappointment, and sorrow 
often do a good work in developing the finer feel- 
ings. Also, our capacity for appreciation is hereby 
increased. Plain foods to him of the strong lusty 
digestion and keen appetite, are more enjoyed than 
luxurious diet to the weak, bilious and sated. 

Jealousy 

The habit of being grateful and cheerful cannot 
be too highly commended. Stinginess cheats itself 
out of much joy experienced in generosity. Jealousy 
not only mars the happiness of the one coveted, but 

12 



also swindles the jealous person out of pleasure 
which would otherwise be forthcoming 

When jealousy is manifested by a friend, it shows 
the spirit of covetousness in another rank, weedy 
growth. Jealousy is seldom amenable to reason. If 
we cannot kill it out of the hearts of others, we can 
at least take proper precautions that we do not per- 
mit its development in our own garden. All human 
love is but a stepping-stone to a higher, nobler love, 
on the plane next above. The toys of childhood 
suffice until we are ready for something better. 

Always Essential 

Marriage is a business contract which must be 
respected by both parties to be mccessful. The 
parties to such a contract who have not Friendship 
between them apart from the physical vibrations 
generated by special, conjugal contact, have a re- 
lationship which will hardly bear the weight of time 
and care, and which will not always happify and en- 
rich ; for such is the proper office of Friendship — a 
place nothing else can fill. Friendship is the chief 
preservative — the active principle of the joy of liv- 
ing. It eliminates selfishness and paves the way for 
the conception of the love of all mankind — the love 
of doing good to all men, according as we may have 
opportunity. 

Basis of Success 

Of himself, a man is nothing; but that which he 
achieves is by virtue of the blessings he has re- 
ceived through the friends that have come into his 
life — his success is the result of ^he ioyalty and 
worth, inspiration and support of his friends'! The 

13 



chief of an army has little power of himself, but with 
the co-operation of his soldiers, the g"eneral is able 
to defend his highest conception of r^eht and duty. 

Insipient Cynicism 

It sometimes happens that one is blind to his 
own faults and failings, having his eye full of 
criticism of the one who is most frequently in his 
thought. In that case, he becomes so busy whining 
about not being appreciated that he fails to properly 
estimate and receive that which v^omes unto him, 
because the package is not wrapped in the color of 
paper he had pictured in his imagination. 

If you, kind reader, feel that yo-.i are not appre- 
ciated, turn your searching gaze inward; (this light 
of analysis and criticism), and see if you are fully 
appreciating those who are earne'^tly striving to 
please and who have a right to kindly considera- 
tion. Instead of being shut off irjm that you long 
for, have you not obstinately, contranly shut your- 
self off? 

Consideration Due 

Friends should not be made the receptacle for our 
bad humor, our whims, peculiarities and troubles. 
We should not seek in a friend a means of venting 
our inherent smartness. We should not wish to 
pry into the private affairs, nor learn the secrets of 
a friend, nor should that friend exhibi* such tenden- 
cies toward us. 

Guarding the Treasure 

Friendship imposes no obligations but seeks and 
claims multitudes of privileges of service, and that 

14 



with joy, making life delicious It comprehends an 
ability to overlook another's fault? and weaknesses 
— to magnify the good. It predisposes to the burial 
of differences and aggression. It never boasts itself 
but is evidenced by unwavering attitude and action. 
He who imposes upon, or mis-uses, a friend is 
worse than a thief. That which is stolen in material 
effects may easily be replaced, but he who damns 
man's faith in man, makes a murderous thrust at his 
own race; and fathers war, hatred, malice and mis- 
ery. 

No higher compliment could be paid than to say, 
intelligently : "This is my friend !" No line of aris- 
tocracy can boast so noble a line of ancestors as 
that one may indicate with just and honest pride if 
one's people have been worthily called "friend" 
For a Friend counts it an opportunity and not a 
hardship, when in a time of need he can prove his 
worthiness by his deeds — prove his interest by in- 
sight and foresight, without having to be asked or 
urged — without surety. 

Those who are too sanguine, greedy — who try to 
get too much out of this existence — are among the 
"temperamental" people who often get the "blues. ' 
Let him who lacks a "life-work"— a worthy object 
for which to live and strive — just set out, at once, 
to be steadfast, constant, sincere — a vibrant harp, a 
reflecting violin ; alive to response both to strains of 
joy, and sorrow; victory or defeat; sunshine and 
shadow; striving ever to remember to be faithful 
to this ideal; to be cheery, loyal, considerate, and 
patient; always weighing well each thought before 
it is uttered ; considering each deed before perform- 

15 



ing it; seeing the end of the present course of con- 
duct or work, the destination whereunto the path 
you are treading will ultimately lead. 

Recapitulation 
Friendship then, is the sacred compound of good- 
will, concord, unity of spirit, appreciation, compas- 
sion, sympathy, understanding; the ability and dis- 
position to practise over-looking faults and persist- 
ently foster virtues ; the habit of seeing the best in 
those with whom we come in contact- the readiness 
to forgive a wrong; the alertness to bless, to do 
good unto another; a worthy result of the vanquish- 
ment of self, the carnal mind. Friendship is evi- 
denced by pleasure in service and sacrifice; is the 
essence of that which is noblest in our character; 
the fruit of religion, philosophy and refinement; the 
flower reared of the sweetest emotions of the soul ; 
a basis for tenderness, consideration and gentleness ; 
the realization of the love of God 

Choice 
The greatest gift of God to man is consciousness. 
But its possession involves responsibility. One of 
our most important obligations is to have a clear 
and personally definite consciousness and concep- 
tion of our class and kind — a classified realization 
of the proper place of the objects entering our field 
of vision; the world we touch; the things with 
which we come in contact; that which we cognize 
as exterior to ourselves. 

Principle 
We are exhorted to "worship God in spirit and in 
truth." We are also asked, "If ye love not men 

16 



whom ye have seen, how can ye love God whom ye 
have not seen?" Surely we need more love in the 
world — we need to learn whom and how to love. 
And the proper, the legitimate, the rose-path, is the 
way of Friendship. 

The first step is to obey the Biblical injunction, 
"Man, know thyself." This done, our next step is 
to cognize, know, our own kind — not only of spe- 
cies but of nature — spirit — aspiration and type. 

Application 

The next step is to apply the principle, which is 
best begun and continued in Service. Thereby we 
live the successful, happifying life — by the persis- 
tent habit of living for others; to live to be useful 
to our kind. 

In order to be useful we must ^:«:e clearly that it 
is for us to OURSELVES be the benediction we 
would wish God to bestow upon our objects of spec- 
ial responsibility and interest; upon our kind — those 
who are close to us. It is best iv. cur systematic 
endeavors to be good (God) to those about us — 
that which touches our lives — let each first bless 
each his own kind. Let the dog h^ess the dog; let 
the fish bless fish ; the bird bless the bird ; and man- 
kind bless mankind. Thus will our attentions be 
most easily understood and appreciated, and we will 
not only get maximum results for the effort ex- 
pended, but we will also save cheating in two ways 
—preventing a member of the kind in question bless- 
ing best his kind, as perhaps he cannot bless the 
higher, different type, but we will also avoid deny- 
ing the fellowship of our own type. And this is the 
law. The higher type should help the lower; but 

17 



the main points and general concourse must be kind 
to kind. We belittle our type and transgress the 
law, violate the proprieties of the Creator when we 
play the outlaw and make our habit otherwise. 

Of the higher laws, it is possible for us to be- 
K.ome Christlike and children of Goi by choosing for 
our rule of life, the first law — the law ot Love — the 
law of kindness. Kindness should be our habit — 
kindness to everything. Everything loves its life — 
wants to maintain its integrity and fulfill its pur- 
pose and destiny. Use people and things only for 
the particular purposes for which they were in- 
tended by nature and structure to fulfill. This is 
being natural, wholesome. 

Purpose 

Friendship is a blessed means for proving the 
proposition that it really is more blessed to give 
than to receive. Friendship is for the expression 
of appreciation, and understanding and the sweet 
spirit of reciprocity; yes, and for gratitude toward 
God in our kind. It is the wholesom.e communion of 
sincere souls who count it good to be alive. 

But if we would be worthy of the great blessing 
of Friendship, we must be ready to really be a 
friend. We must learn to shut the door of our 
thought to the negativeness that produces only after 
its kind and open our hearts to receive with joy, the 
good things we find near us — waiting for our ac- 
ceptance. Let us not continually affront the Good 
God by forever refusing gracious reception of His 
beneficence, by any fancied virtue of self-denial. 
Friendship and its fruits are necessary to our life, 

18 



prosperity and development. For, "No man liveth 
unto himself and no man dieth unto himself." 

Duty of Acceptance 

Let us rise and clear away the shades of gloom, 
self-pity and self-love that put us in the dungeon 
of Misery. Throvs^ open the doors and let in the 
blessed sunshine in trustful acceptance that the good 
thing that comes to us is of God— the blessed An- 
swer to our prayers — those earnest, unspoken and 
unspeakable desires of the heart. Perchance that 
for which we are sorrowfully yearnhig is here i.i 
our lives today and we are blindly rcHising it. 

Since so much of life is disappointment, care and 
sacrifice, losses and crosses, we shouM learn to love 
them as the hard lessons that teach us the way of 
life and the strenuous exercises that makes us stron>> 
enough for the next step advancing along the high 
road of Progress toward the mountc in top of Per- 
fection. But let us not get into such a habit of 
self-abnegation and denial that we refuse refresh- 
ment and happiness when it is offered us. God does 
allow that His creatures be happy auvl rejoice in Hi ' 
goodness. 

Avoid Exaction 

But in our ideality, let us not demand too much 
perfection of our friends. Likely every friendship 
will result in some measure of disaopointment. But 
this is merely an opportunity to "be tender-hearted 
one to another, forgiving one another even as God 
hath for Christ's sake, forgiven you." Look upon 
such an occasion as an opportunity to be charitable, 
generous, indulgent. Friendship is certainly the 

19 



best thing in this life, and the finer souls will ever 
yearn for it, cherish it, and strive to 1 c true to their 
noblest concepts in regard to the faithful discharge 
of its obligations. 

Dignity of Friendship 

If you offer your priceless gift of Friendship and 
it be rejected, feel no resentment. To offer a gift 
to one who is unworthy by reason of undevelop- 
ment, is merely to cast pearls before ?wine. There 
are those who are little and mean and have their 
failings covered by a veneer of external sweetness 
which is only exercised when there is no excuse 
to do otherwise. 

But the selfish life, with its anger jealousy, pride, 
sensitiveness, envy hatred, malice and uncharitable- 
ness, is merely the disposition to see life and its 
privileges through a pinhole and so lim't the vision. 

Faith 

To be broad, gentle, forgiving, is greater than 
personal triumphs. To trust that one's friend has 
nothing but love, good-will, good Intentions «ind 
blessings for one, is a great preventive of mis- 
understandings and misinterpretation of deeds done 
under circumstances which may thr-w them tem- 
porarily into a bad light. 

Sharing 

Covetousness says : "I want all." Good Sense 
says : "I want only what I need." A. dog eats and 
leaves what he cannot use for his fellows. But 
humans so often want to grasp ev^ rything, both 
what they need for themselves and all else they can 

20 



seize and hold, preferring to retain the surplus for 
their heirs rather than to permit the less fortunate 
to prosper — rather than to bless the present genera- 
tion. 

Avoidance of Ready Condemnation 

Be not over-ready to find a friend guilty of mis- 
demeanor or disloyalty or selfishness, tut always be 
ready to give the friend the benefit of a possible 
doubt. Don't be disposed to jump at conclusions 
which would do damage to the best *hing you have 
found in the world — Friendship — and your estimate 
of a member of your own kmd Doubtless this 
tableau is but a picture of yourself in another cir- 
cumstance with your beloved friend as the villian 
this time instead of yourself. 

Study Laws of Harmony 

Learn to harmonize — be in accord Cultivate the 
disposition to agree instead of antagonize and differ. 
Don't be overfond of your own opinijn or think too 
highly of your own judgment Humility is one of 
the greatest of virtues. Always admit the possi- 
bility of your being in error. It certainly does take 
two to make a quarrel. If you refuse to contend, 
anger must die. 

Spirit Benign 

Love is surely the greatest thing in this world or 
anywhere else. There are many brands and all are 
good except one — self-love. But this kind which 
we term kindness, benevolence, etc., seems to me 
the greatest of all, being the type found in mother- 
love, and which we call Friendship, ior it gives all 

21 



and asks nothing in return; wherests every other 
form seems to say : "I will do so-and-so for you — 
what do I get back? If you do not appreciate me 
and what I sacrifice for you and do for you, I will 
be done with you and will regret having done any- 
thing for you and wasted my regard on an unworthy 
person !" 

But Friendship says : "Don't bother to thank me 
or try to be grateful for anything I can do for y ^u. 
The privilege of service, of benefJing, and the 
effort of trying to do good, is most samt'iry exercise. 
It is the giver who is most blest — not the recipient. 
I have my reward from the impulse to express the 
love that wells up within me." 

Evening 

It need not depress those who trust in God to real- 
ize that even our sun — source of li^e, power, growth, 
the center of our solar system — has but his day — 
dawn, zenith, evening. So with artists, actors, pugi- 
lists, wrestlers, poets, authors, pianists, singers. Bv 
one means or another — a phenomenon over which 
they have little control — the conditions are right for 
one out of the many aspirants, to make good and 
rise as a sun over his fellows and shine forth in 
strength. Yet there is a zenith and point of wan- 
ing. It is so in physical experience- -we find- 
youth, prime and old age. And perhaps also in love 
and in the ability to attract and hold friends. Noth- 
ing seems steadfast or permanent or dependable. 
As the proverb goes, "Even this shaH pass away." 

A Friendship Outgrown 
Efforts may not always result in success of fame 
or riches. Sometimes friends change or lose in- 

22 



terest — we pass into decline. But the love we have 
for them has made us richer — life has been sweeter 
because of them. The love we put into our work, 
loving the common task, no matter how homely and 
unattractive — loving it for the ocruration it gives 
us — the assurance that we are doings something 
which makes our lives useful— a blessing to some- 
one. That pays. The love we have for our work, 
our studies, our progress and unfoldment — it never 
comes back in bitterness. 

Individual needs differ. Goals differ. Some learn 
their lessons more quickly than others. We may 
wait a little while for a tardy friend to catch up, 
but when the condition of mutual benefit has 
ceased, it is useless to try to drag a slothful, dila- 
tory, backward friend along. When the rate of 
development is so slow that the grown man is still 
dawdling along with the toys of childhood — the 
things of the world and personal pleasure — the 
things of flesh — then the friendship has been out- 
grown and we pack a mummy around with us, when 
we try to cling to the dead thing that once had 
life and power to bless. Furthermore, there is com- 
pensation for giving up the old and worn-out, in 
acquiring the new. Such pleasure is like that ex- 
perienced in laying aside tattered or thread-bare 
garments for new. 

Keeping Friends 

It is vain to fancy that a friendship once formed 
means the development of perpetual motion — that 
it will go by itself. Friendship mus^ be renewed to 
continue to live. As the musician or artist or ath- 
lete must be made fit by proper preparation and 

23 



training so to keep fit, he must continue these salu- 
tary practices. Like a garden, Friendship must be 
cultivated, nurtured, fostered. 

We may acquire a facility for making friends — 
but it takes character, thought, and effort 
to retain them. Even then, in spite of our best 
efforts, we will likely find that estrringements wi^.l 
occur or circumstances develop which dim the 
brightness of this crown of life. The remedy is not 
in bitterness of spirit, but in constantly maintaining 
a genial, accommodating, helpful, cheerful, friendly 
mien and thereby attracting new friends which will 
enrich your life as you enrich theirs, more than mak- 
ing up for the thing lost. Thereby we can dem- 
onstrate that it really does pay to "keep sweet.'* 
Practising Charity 

Toward prolonging the life of friendship and mul- 
tiplying its joys, we should avoid condemnation; 
should seldom criticize, unless the friend will be 
benefitted by the adverse opinion and open analysis. 
It is safe to presume that the other fellow is doing 
the best he can under his circumstances, predisposi- 
tion, weaknesses and temptations. Truly, "A friend 
is one who knows all about you and loves you just 
the same!" 

We can "befriend*' anyone, above or below us; 
but for those whom we voluntarily choose for our 
companions, it is well to select those who are of the 
same type as ourselves. Then avoid arguments, 
contentions, and all seeds of antagonism, disagree- 
ment, discord. Be fair, genial, kind and congenial, 
and the harvest will surely be harmony and felicity. 
It is not yet safe to put a lamb and a lion in a den 
together. It is not always easy in these days of 

24 



pretense, egotism and hypnotism, to tell who's who. 
Wherefore, herd with your own kind, get together; 
keep sweet. Spread the noble doctrine of peace, 
good-will, kindness, charity, compassion, sympa- 
thy, gratitude, appreciation and self-abnegation. 
Make friends — love them. Success in the world is of 
less value than they. Therefore, leave them not, 
neither forsake them. 

Constancy 

Never discard an old for a new friend, impulsive- 
ly and without proper consideration. Constancy is 
a virtue and inconstancy a deplorable fault. It is 
bad to be fickle, disloyal — easily carried away by 
the glamour of a new adventure. To indulge such 
tendencies is to foster shallowness of nature and a 
vacillating mind, incapable of definite course or of 
sound action or concentration. And if, by any 
chance, you be loved by but few, know that at least 
it is your privilege to love many. 
Reward 

Thus you will be surprised some day, to find how 
many you are benefitting, influencing for good, of 
those who enter your aura — your life's horizon. 
You will cause little pain or grief, and many weary, 
needy, hungry souls, will find sweet refreshment in 
your stability, strength and nobility of character. 
Thus will you become a fountain of pure waters, 
purged of ignoble impulses. Thus will you become 
worthy of being made a member of the noblest 
order ever known to mankind and be given a new 
name — the greatest honor that mankind can give 
you— the title of "Friend." 

Hail to the glorious, beautiful, beneficient, 
SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP! 

25 



MERCY 

A little boy was once asked: "When you know 
a thing, how do you know it?" To which he prompt- 
ly replied, "I don't know it at all — I forget it." In 
his frank answer is food for thought. We are not 
benefitted by what we learn and then forget ; but by 
what we learn and then incorporate and use. Most 
of us talk — prattle, babble — too much, and think 
too little. We have our minds filled with rubbish 
and that which is of no value. 

When the soul wakens, there is aspiration to bet- 
ter things. When one realizes that he is no longer 
satisfied to be kept a peaceful prisoner of ignorance, 
we may expect progress. Knowledge of vain things 
has nothing to do with the possession of wisdom. 

Meditation, contemplation, is a helpful practice. 
We know so many things in a superficial sort of 
way, but to be fully conscious to all that is repre- 
sented by a germ-idea calls for genuine mental ca- 
pacity. In order to keep our ideals from decline, it 
is well to pause and consider a definite subject and 
compel the mind to cease from aimless rambling — 
a bad habit fostered by our present careless living 
and the economic conditions of our time. 

If you feel in the mood, suppose you and I take 
a train of thought and travel a while on the Progress 
road, journeying toward a definite destination — the 
celestial cities of Unfoldment, Development, and 
Growth. For today's trip, let us stop at the Com- 
missary of Character Construction and equip with 
the idea of "Mercy," and a few other things, for 
word-study. 

26 



We may know a thing by the evidences of our ' 

senses ; that is, by perception, or apprehension ; also j 
we may know by the processes of reason. We may , ] 

know or recognize from experience or by gaining a I 

conception of a thing by reckoning, imagining that | 

which we have not undergone, from that which we \ 
have cognized. 

"Blessed are the merciful." And who is there ' 
among us who does not aspire to be blessed? Then 

let us not forget to be merciful. We can begin by i 

taking time to look outside the bowl in the bottom ' 

of which we live, seeing life only as it sweeps over ; 

the edges and rim of the enclosure which we have \ 

elected to hem us in. : 

Let us burst the shell of our selfish barricade and \ 

look into the lives of those about us. Without ap- 
preciation for the cares, burdens, heart-aches and 
disappointments, sorrows and unfulfilled yearnings \ 

of our fellow beings, we cannot be constrained to 
feel any emotion of compassion — of mercy. He who ; 

has no feeling has no soul. We should not be hys- ! 

terical, but we should not be dead — unable to thrill ; 

in understanding of deeds of heroism, courage, forti- | 

tude, love, mercy and all that goes to comprise our .! 

human experiences. : 

Let us lay low the tall walls of our selfish 
thoughts, and behold the most marvelous moving ■ 

picture ever conceived — the world about us — per- j 

ceiving that all that is done, may contribute to our 1 

entertainment, edification and evolution. Thus will 
we enrich our experience and perhaps spare our- 
selves the necessity of having bitter experiences in 
order to round out our own characters. For the j 

27 \ 



building of character, gaining of experience is the 
purpose of our having come into the world. 

If perchance sometime in your life you should see 
a long season of drought and withering, and some 
peculiar circumstance compelled you to go a great 
distance in the heat of a scorching day, over burn- 
ing city walks, dusty country roads, out and away 
from the supports and comforts which have hereto- 
fore surrounded you; 

Out into the desert of Misery Harvest, where the 
sand is deep and the cactus spines are sharp ; where 
the coyote skulks and the sage brush ekes out but 
enough existence to tell of discouragement and fail- 
ure, the arid blight of selfish desires of men which 
burn and sere ; 

But go on, you must; alone — unfit, unequipped — 
caught by "circumstance." Plod on — you must! 
Ere long the straining body gives its cry for cessa- 
tion of this forcing; your temples throb painfully, 
things persist in getting more and more black be- 
fore your eyes; an unconquerable weakness begins 
to steal over you. 

Struggling on, hour after hour, you know not 
how long, till your lips are cracked, and your tongue 
protrudes, swollen and fissured, between your teeth, 
till all that you know is to strive on and agonize 
for water. 

If it should be your lot to go to India and there 
you were stricken with fever — unremitting and in- 
tolerable ; and you were alone with energies sapped, 
vitality spent: till you could think of nothing but 
water, WATER, WATER!! 

28 



If these experiences came to you, you would un- 
derstand what "THIRST" meant. 



And then, when you had suffered beyond the 
power of description, a blessed cup of cold water 
found its way to your parched lips, and rough tis- 
sues became smooth again ; their burning ceased, 
and the loving care bestowed slowly won you back 
to vigor and comfort ; 

Then you would know what "Relief," and "Re- 
freshment" mean — that they are sweet to the needy 
soul. 

Then you would have a better idea of what 
"Mercy" is. 



If it fell to your lot to be a sailor — many souls 
have been called to the sea — and while far out from 
port an evil bully conspired to cause the men to 
mutiny, seize the ship and cargo and divide the 
spoils. The captain resisted and was killed. The 
mutinous ones did not include so good a navigator 
as the captain or first mate who had gone down 
with his superior officer. A storm arose and the 
good ship sprung a leak. The heavy gale at last 
snapped the main mast, which in falling wrecked 
machinery and steam pumps. The weary men 
were forced to operate the hand pumps. But all in 
vain. The ship would sink. 

A few sailors who had refused to mutiny had been 
cast into irons. You were one of them. The mut- 
ineers took the life boats and put to sea, but not 
before one of them who had in his heart a bit of 

29 



mercy, came and partly set you free. You did the 
rest. But gaining the deck you found there was no 
boat. 

A lurch of the ship threw you overboard in the 
wash of a giant wave; you found a piece of wreck- 
age and clung to it, and on this homely saviour, 
were washed up on the beach of a desert island. 

The one boat which had survived the storm had 
been driven on the opposite end of this island. You 
were weak from the battle — too weak even to shout. 
There you lay, half drowned, with a broken leg. 
The storm subsided. You could see the men saving 
useful material from the wrecked ship ; you had 
neither food nor drink. 

One of the mutineers had been picked up by a 
passing vessel. He had induced the captain to 
search for the crew. Rocks and shoals made it un- 
safe to come in very close, so the crew from the 
wreck began to prepare to put out to where the 
big ship stood off, waiting their coming. 

They are too far off to see you — you have not 
the power to rise, or signal them. It seems — Oh, 
God of heaven! inevitable that you be missed and 
forsaken, to die alone in utter misery. You see the 
rescuers from the big ship quit the search and pre- 
pare to depart. 

In such a case you would know what "Despair" 
and "Anguish" mean. 

But wait — there's that same soft-hearted chap 
again — he does not seem willing to go just yet. 
Seems as if he senses that all are not aboard — some- 
times tender-hearted people do have peculiar feel- 
ings which are called Intuitions! Bless God, he 

30 



realizes what a terrible thing it would be to leave a 
man marooned on such a barren isle. While the 
others are impatiently urging him to desist search- 
ing — to hurry and come on, he is still not satis- 
fied — looks for some trace of life. 

See — he's looking your way. Angels, tell him ! 
He does see, or suspect — he's coming to see what 
that object is, lying on the sand ! And then, as your 
strained consciousness leaves you, you know he is 
there beside you. His mighty shout thrills you from 
head to foot, and seems to reverberate through the 
universe, and other men hasten to lend assistance. 

After a while, you open your eyes again, wonder- 
ing which side of the grave you are on, eager for 
agonies to be over. A kind voice tells you not to try 
to speak. Your helpless, weary head is gently 
raised just a little, and something is given you to 
take in the process of winning you back to life and 
vigor again. 

Soon you are mending. How ravenous you are. 
How good is Food and Drink — nourishment — sus- 
tenance. 

If you had suffered shipwreck, (how precious is 
reputation !) and friends, neighbors, kindred — all 
had forsaken you, save one — but through his consid- 
eration you had had one fighting chance for your 
life — to suffer your way back to standing again : 

Then you would understand the value of "Mercy." 
* * * 

If sometime in your life the fell hand of torment 
falls upon you and strikes you down to your bed 
in utter helplessness; and pain comes to you as it 
never came before ; till each succeeding hour seems 
but another interminable hell; 

31 



Then, likely you would pray as one is wont to 
pray when suffering beyond tears or moans or 
screams : a prayer that you might die — Oh, God ! 
that you might die. 

But when it seemed in a cruel climax of unspeak- 
able agonizing torture, as the pangs of labored 
motherhood — peace suddenly comes — like the still- 
ing of the fierce tempest when the gentle Nazarene 
commanded, "Peace, be still !" Thank God for ''De- 
liverance." 

Then you would better comprehend what "Peace" 
and "Comfortable," mean — then you would know a 
little of what Mercy is. 



If some time in your life you should come to 
possess many things, which were everyone dear — so 
dear! 

But one by one they were torn away from you by 
a relentless hand — a hand stronger than yours ; the 
hand of Circumstance. (Misfortune, Fire, Wind, 
Disease, Senility or the dark angel Death), so that 
all was gone — wife, children, property — everything 
that heart holds dear. Gone — gone! ! 

All that remained was memory and shreds — dregs 
in the cup of life — all else was "LOST." 

But wait. Yonder comes one who drives like 
Jehu. Is he friend or foe? Friend it is — and cham- 
pion. Hot pursuit he gives the fleeing, mocking 
viper. Fell Circumstance. 'Tis plain to see the spirit 
of Jehu is such that his coming, though alone, is no 
laughing matter. The loud guffaws of Circumstance 
die in his throat — are turned to snarls at this un- 
expected interruption of his gloating triumph. 

32 



The chariot of the intrepid Jehu slowly gains on 
the unscrupulovis foe. Though but one against a 
legion, Jehu dares approach the assassins of Wel- 
fare, Joy and Peace— this gang of arch-conspirators ; 
these allies of Circumstance ; these enemies of man ; 
who, sooner or later, lay low, the poor, the rich; 
the noble, the mean; the wise, the fool; and carry 
their victims captive into the Unknown. 

But fearless Jehu comes abreast of the very leader, 
Fell Circumstance, and snatches from him, (this 
captain of Death, Hate, Malice, Jealousy, Lust and 
the rest of the shades and ghouls of Carnal Mmd), 
the mutilated remnant of one of your treasures. 

With tears of compassion and regret that he could 
not do more, Jehu returns all that could be saved, 
to your hungry arms again. 

Were it your lot, beloved, to pass through such 
an ordeal — then you would know what Anguish 
means— and Courage, too; even the spirit of Jehu. 
And too, you would understand better what is meant 
by "Mercy." It is good to be spared even a little of 
all that which had been so dear when you had pos- 
sessed much. 

* * * 

If perchance it should come to you to be a solitary 
watcher by the bedside of one you love better than 
your own soul, and you should see the pain-distorted 
face grow paler and more pale each day ; and you 
should rack your brain to find one atom of sorry 
comfort— one more futile something you could do 
to make that cross a wee bit easier: 

Until the long, lonely hours of the day are only 
32 



months in comparison to the years of the long, 
dreary, dark and gruesomely still nights ; 

And if this should continue till your flesh quivered 
with the anguish of it all, and your sturdy body is 
worn and stooped with weariness, and your tired 
eyes are almost hidden behind swollen lids ; till your 
relaxed fingers let their lighter burdens slip through 
them ; till, in spite of every effort of will, and every 
device of ingenuity fails, and your brain sleeps a 
stolen second, till, conscience stricken, you start up 
again, trembling, in the responsibility of another's 
life hanging on your faithfulness and vigil. 

And the sufferer? Oh, those hands — those hands 
that do what the hands of hirelings cannot. 

O, what a stay are the time-tried bonds to that 
suffering loved one and the patient watcher. Some- 
body's fidelity now repays for the other's constancy 
through the years that went before, woos life back 
to the stricken one and keeps life in the body of the 
weary watcher. 

But finally, praise God, it is all over, and Darling 
is safe, and the battle won. Life again has promise 
of the brightness of old which you two could not 
bear to lose. The old-time comfort steals into your 
soul. Again the sun is bright. The sparkling dew 
glistens on the fragrant flowers that mark the paths 
you two have trod together — the path of life with 
the flowers of service, love, comradeship and sym- 
pathy a-bloom on every side. 

How sweet it is to rest — to the struggler and the 
watcher. But again, all is well. Somebody needed 
"Constancy," and another Somebody was glad to 
give it. So, Somebody glows warm and happy that 
the need on both sides was met. Ah, rest is indeed 

34 



sweet — sweeter because of the labor which went 
before it. How precious is ''Lovalty" and "Con- 
stancy." Life is ''Delicious." 

If it were your lot to go through all of this, you 
would know the full meaning of these few words — 
you would feel with the heart as well as understand 
with the head. It would make you tender. Hence, 
a little progress would be made — progress in 
strength — in sweetness of the Flower of Character. 

You then would know better than I know how 
to tell, what Mercy means — if you experienced all 
of these sorts of schooling. Then vou would be 
ready to APPRECIATE. 

The dear people whose nearness was marked by 
a soul waiting to come hither, christened you with 
a name which to someone, is sweet because of you 
— of what you have grown to be. Think little of 
Avoe and strife. Think much of good, for you w411 
surely become like that which you contemplate. 

But think much of "Mercy." Be kind to those 
about you. It may be that beneath a smiling face, 
is a hungry, sick heart. Be a benediction to many a 
soul whose struggle, unseen, unsuspected, may yet 
be quite as bitter in another way, as these regard- 
ing which you have so kindly permitted me to give 
a little illustration. 



35 



I LOVE TO BE LOVED BY YOU 



If I let you hold my hand 

That will do? 
Should you take me in your arms, 

Would I rue? 
Would I seem the common kind? 
Would your thoughts remain refined? 
Should I lose the joy I'd find, 

While 'twas new? 

Chorus 

Oh, I love to be loved by you ! 
There is rest in your touch, 
And I need you so much — 
For, I love to be loved — by you ! 

Why is man so selfish, sly, 

Free and bold? 
Only pleased if that he tells 

Ne'er was told. 
If I let you have your way, 
Will respect and interest stay? 
Who will want me when I'm gray, 

Worn and old? 

Chorus 

Oh, I love to be loved by you ! 
There is peace in your touch, 
And I need you so much — 
For, I love to be loved — by you ! 

36 



THORNS 



O what shall I do when you weary of me, 
When these precious meetings no longer may be? 
When those more attractive my boundaries invade — 
A flower that's plucked can but know it must fade ! 
Then what shall I do when caresses no more 
Requite me and bless as in sweet days of yore — 
When little attentions no more come my way, 
And this bit of heaven, becomes yesterday? 

Refrain 

You taught me how to love, 
You taught me how to care; 
Now must we surely part — 
Hope yield to dark despair? 
To ease my breaking heart, 
O whither shall I go? 
Must I all joy renounce, 
And ne'er fulfillment know? 

O what shall I do when your footsteps no more 
Make music for me as they draw near my door — 
When I know it is useless to look up the street 
And watch for your figure my glad gaze to greet? 
Ah, what shall I do when I know I have failed — 
Through no fault of mine, this red life-rose has 

paled; 
And I see through my hot tears there's nothing 

but cloys. 
You've not understood me, your latest of toys. 

Z1 



BENEDICTUS 



O golden hours when soul meets soul, 
When kindred spirits sweet commune ; 
The fairest writ on life's last scroll 
And gayly sung- to Friendship's tune. 



POISE 

God's will be done in everything — 
In me and my affairs ; 
What e'er betide, 'tis sweet to know 
God understands and cares ! 



THE AFTER-GLOW* 



Would God these piteous eyes might melt in tears — 

Become a fount to weep my soul away; 

For errors in this game of life so queer. 

Youth's tender dreams dispel and fond hopes slay; 

Say not that such is but the common lot — 

But fools and drones such sentence should receive — 

Nor dare ascribe to God the cruel blot — 

He would not thus of guiltless good bereave! 

Let fearless souls look back through ages past 

And see through history, law's and custom's line; 

Behold race teaching and convention's cast, 

To paranoia's rule weak wills resign ; 

Who dares unflinching on the Truth to gaze. 



*Companion piece to "The Talisman" in Fuller's "Book 
of Poems," 

38 



Will see the yoke through false religion laid — 
Mankind consigned to woe, despair and maze, 
To dwarf in lack — renunciation's shade. 

'Till now, sublimely sweet and wholesome soul, 
Through tedious years I've searched and hoped for 

you — 
And thought I'd found my blessed, precious goal, 
Yet woke to learn the trustful dream untrue; 
O thou beloved — must I let you go 
And drink the cup of self-suppression aye? 
Must I resign to be the sport of fate. 
And no more strive the hours and you to stay? 

Comrade ! I knew my ideal did exist — 

In whom response and reciprocity 

Would view with understanding — all I've missed 

And craved — on all planes tender intimacy ; 

O how I've loved that quickened mind of yours — 

Co-operation — spirit, noble, true — 

While life shall last and memory still endures 

I'll bless the day that brought me love and you ! 

Soul-mate! your blessed, radiant body too 
Is dear — with all its sweetly feminine charm ; 
May He who marks the sparrow in His view. 
Command your utmost good — keep you from harm ; 
These arms of mine oft ache to hold you close 
My soul would fain attend you everywhere ; 
Though man or thing should here your thought en- 
gross, 
Beyond the veil ! I'll claim my own o'er there ! 



39 



THE RUINED CITY 



The San Francisco Panama Exposition 



Come then with me today, and we shall go 
Where once in noble grandeur reigned, the work 
Of hand and head and heart the world to show, 
Refine, instruct and please; nor irk 
To hear me tell in my poor way the scene 
That charmed my gaze in this enchanted place 
Of wondrous palaces, columns, walls of green — 
In growing which, Dame Nature, full of grace. 
Had woven there from patterns elsewhere shown — 
Thus kindly acquiesced to do a part — 
Assist to make this Fair the greatest known. 
And build rich memories which might ne'er depart. 

The developments, inventions and all 
The various forms of handiwork appeared 
To prove the marvelous work of puny man 
Whose mighty, throbbing soul has reared 
Increasing wonders, age on age until 
'Twould seem he would reclaim his temporal power, 
And gain dominion — prove his sovereign will. 
But passing o'er Utility's splendid bower. 
Disdaining Pleasure's "Zone" of frivolous things, 
Let us proceed along "Marina's" edge 
To gaze on "peaceful" ocean as it sings 
Its deathless song — of Destiny a pledge. 

• 40 



Of all this wondrous pageant, seems to me, 
The "Tower of Jewels" quite surpassed the rest- 
Its stones of myriad hues charmed all to see; 
At night, the colored rocket-lights addressed 
Their dazzling brilliance in harmonious streams 
To make the jeweled tower a rival fit 
To vie with heaven's star-be-spangled beams, 
Whose beauty men may view with benefit. 
The sculptor's art depicting Nature's grace 
In varied forms, here vied with Greeks of old; 
The pleasing curve, expression, gently trace 
His noble concept of her conquering mold. 



A group of buildings formed a separate court — 
For each its special statuary, name and lights — 
Where peers of grace, all of a kindred sort. 
Revealed in frank array, most pleasing sights. 
The "Court of the Four Seasons" held a share 
That well repaid the pilgrims from afar, 
Who came to feast on such or banish care, 
Where God's munificence some dared unbar. 
Who could forget these statue-folk, once seen? 
The "Rising Sun," in masculine, winged mold — 
Or "Setting Sun," the modest, dainty queen. 
Whose downcast eyes of peace and quiet told. 



41 



Behold at last upon Marina's breast ; 
These fallen monarchs side by side in state, 
Who bravely stood through their appointed tests, 

And now await their sad, relentless fate. ; 

Here see the grand Pizarro on his steed — ': 
A noble knight in stately armor clad — 
With sword all drawn — reminds of valiant deed 

When brain and brawn more equal virtue had : ; 

The graceful "Woodnymph" — likewise "Harvest's" : 

form, I 

With many an image, column, frescoed plate, i 

No more admired, now wait till work of storm, i 

Of sun, of wind and damp, disintegrate. I 

Impermanence marks all that this plane knows, i 

From bud, the full-blown flower ; and then, at length, | 

But one by one, the petals of the rose j 

Will fall. The flower has gone its span of strength. j 
'Tis thus with all this mundane sphere. 

A soul is born, must struggle, write its tale — < 

Then come like jaded horse and rider, near ' 
To the last of the sojourn here — to 

"The End of the Trail." i 

Deal gently then with those whose day is on the ! 

wane — ] 

In time our lot and place will be as theirs — j 

Nor scorn to spare the hoary head a pain ; i 
He lives the most who understands and cares ! 



42 



SENTIMENTS 



For a Useful Article 

Permit me, please, dear sweet lady (or man), 
precious friend, to attempt by the means of this 
humble gift, to express a little of the joy and grati- 
tude I have to God for the privilege of knowing you 
and holding for such a time as it may be my lot to 
enjoy, the position I hold toward you and you to- 
ward me. For I know that, whatever may or may 
not come to pass in your life or mine. Memory will 
ever hold the happy hours of peace and holy pleas- 
ure I have been privileged to enjoy through the 
mercy of having found the solace of that you have 
given me in being yourself and in caring a little for 
me. 

God bless you then, and bring you everything that 
your heart desires, which may be good for you to 
have. May you unfold in beauty, beauty of person 
and soul alike, in understanding, riches of mind, 
friends — find your right place in God's great uni- 
verse and fulfill it and your divine mission, with 
joy. 

5|J ^ sK 

For a Gift of Music 

Gravestones are seldom seen on other than Mem- 
orial Day. 

The best tablet then, is that which we write in the 
minds and hearts of those with whom we come in 
contact — those nearest and dearest to us. 

43 



May the memory of the writer soothe, cheer and 
stir to nobility of life and character, like meaningful 
music. 

Be gentle, kind and just; 

Fear not, but hope and trust. 

* * * 

For a Costly Gift 

It is not well to be suspicious. Neither is it good 
to be too sanguinely trustful. Remember the prayer 
of the man who had suffered betrayal : "God of 
Justice, save me I beseech Thee, from my friends, 
and I myself will take care of my enemies." 

False friends and designing persons who feign 
friendship, by oily words, sometimes slip within 
the camp and poison our entire army of loyal de- 
fenders. 

* * * 

To a New Friend 

It has been but a short time since I first made 
your acquaintance. You wear well. The longer I 
know you the better I like you. I count as happy, 
those who have the privilege of more extended as- 
sociation ; for, if you are half as sweet as you appear 
to be, the world is richer for your being in it. 

* * * 

Initiative 

Initiative would seem to comprehend the ability 
to elect for one's self a definite course in life and 
follow it unswervingly — according to one's highest 
light, ability, apprehension of the Divine Will and 
the abnegation of self, the carnal mind, or material 
personality. 

44 



The successful life is that in which the individual 
looks upon the experiences which come as being 
necessary for the learning of lessons prescribed by 
the Higher Power; where the individual perceives 
that suffering is the most salutary means of growth ; 
and therefore counts it joy to be reckoned worthy 
to take his stripes and share of woe, saying, "My 
God — my life, consecrated to Thee, is wholly in thy 
hands. Do unto me what seemeth to Thee good." 

The successful life is that in which initiative plays 
no uncertain part, but directs the steps whereby the 
soul is inspired to look upward with steady gaze, 
single-eyed, high-purposed, choosing rightly the 
things of real value and appreciating them. 

I am proud to know a good woman who, looking 
for the real treasures, has not despised to look in a 
lowly place for a grain of Truth, nor the humble 
efforts of one child of God who is striving to find 
the way to worthily give utterance to helpful 
thoughts and express himself becomingly. 



The Inevitable Trail 



Everyone in passing through this human experi- 
ence, leaves behind a trail, where his life has touched 
those of his fellow sojourners. We are remembered, 
missed, because of what we have been to our little 
circle of friends — for the good we have done ; the 
service rendered ; the use we have been to other 
strugglers. 

I aspire to leave behind a trail of gentle, helpful 
deeds, so that when I have passed on, at least a 
few will realize that I have been of some little value 

45 



to them — some inspiration to live their best, their 
noblest for God and those who love them. 

If the little remembrances it has been my privi- 
lege to give you, can help to establish and maintain 
a place in your memory for me, I am happy and am 
in your debt. 

Equilibrium 

There is a lesson which you and I need to learn — 
a lesson of equilibrium — that we shall not lose our 
poise, our peace of mind, when the gift we offer in 
pride and confidence, is lightly esteemed. We must 
learn not to be sad or bitter when that to which 
one has given much thought and effort to prepare, 
and such satisfaction in offering, in love, is received 
with scorn — is not wanted by the one we may wish 
to honor and bless. 

But we must become big enough to eliminate 
self-pity to such an extent that we can advance our 
products without feelings — and forget them. For 
the object is to produce that which will by its own 
merit, choice and fitness, win acceptance and favor 
at once. 

Yet we must not forget that there are many 
slaves in this world — slaves to grudge, jealousy — to 
appetites, passions, vice, selfishness, greed, avarice, 
lust and fame; slaves to wrath, malice and covetous- 
ness. Notwithstanding, those who do hunger for 
love, kindness, righteousness and peace, may be 
fed and blessed by what you and I can offer — of the 
fruits of heart or head — or by some little act of 
gentle courtesy — or by just avoiding depression — 
being downed by the disappointments, crosses, 

46 



losses or hardships of the day; by not permitting 
ourselves to become taciturn, morose and bitter. 

Cheer up. Maybe we can give someone who hun- 
gers even as you and I, the very thing they need 
and seek, just by a bit of pleasantness, a smile, a 
kind word, a look or a hand-clasp — anything that 
carries a message of appreciation, understanding, 
sympathy or approval. There is indeed, a science 
in giving — not only of our gifts, but ourselves — out 
influence; a science of letting our light shine, that 
men may see Good — good-works — and glorify the 
Father which is in heaven. 

Harbor Salute 

The experience of most of us in life has been such 
as makes us able to appreciate and understand, how 
the men must have felt who, having risked all and 
braved much, yet FAILED and could only come to 
and view the promised land — a land flowing with 
milk and honey — a land of beauty, prosperity, com- 
fort, rest and peace. But they were not permitted 
to possess the Prize. 

In reading the Biblical record, while we sympa- 
thize with those disappointed men, yet we can also 
see the justice of the sentence. But in our own 
case, oftimes we have not been able to see why we 
have had to accept the fate that has come to us. 

But it is proper to try to awaken humanity to a 
more lively appreciation of their blessings and urge 
those who do find a way to possess the fulfillment 
of the desires of their hearts, to do so with the joy 
of understanding and appreciation — gratitude — for 
the rare privilege which it has been their good for- 
tune to experience. 

47 



I am proud to acknowledge you as a friend and 
will always hold in grateful remembrance, the sus- 
tenance of mercy — the milk of human kindness, 
which I have received at your hands. 

May time deal gently with you and the Good 
Father lead you and bless you with the fulfillment 
of the desires of your heart, insofar as the same may 
be to your ultimate good. I salute you, a worthy 
friend. I pray you stand — steadfast, immovable — 
in your attitude toward life, the will of God and 
progress — the course you have elected to take. 

May the influences and help you require, come to 
you speedily. And however soon my acquaintance 
— the accident of our salutations in passing on the 
ocean of life — however soon I may be forgotten, I 
hope the worthy words — the bits of Truth it has 
been my privilege to speak or write to you may 
live in your thought, to bless and comfort you at 
the moments of trial and testing, along life's rough, 
rocky, wreck-bestrewn way. May your disappoint- 
ments be as rare as rain in the desert, and your 
hours of gratified expectation be as common as 
shells on the seashore. 

May the tender light of the full moon — the star- 
shine of the peaceful night, never open your soul to 
list to the sigh of the whispering zephyrs which 
waft through the miles and the years, the sobs of 
human hearts that yearn for the unattainable and 
grow sick in the pain of deferred hopes and bitter 
disappointments; may you ever be deaf to the 
cry of the souls that have ploughed in the desert, 
and the moan of the lonely voyager who floats on a 
raft of wreckage in a troubled sea. 

48 



And yet I would not have you become cold and 
hard, hidden in the lap of luxury and ease. While I 
fain would protect you from unavailing tears and 
sympathies, would shield you from the coarse or 
vulgar; would spare you from being burdened or 
concerned with woes and ills you could not miti- 
gate, yet I would have you strong and brave, — ever 
ready to bless and help. I would have you able to 
recognize the calls that properly belong to you — 
would have you answer them with divine prompt- 
ness and sincerity as did that blessed One who trod 
the shores of Galilee. Also, I would have you able 
to reject that which is outside your borders and be- 
yond your capacities. 

My heart is big with joy and gratitude for the 
richness your friendship has been to me. Having 
known you, I feel better acquainted with God and 
His work. 



49 



CALIFORNIA 



(By the Western Sea) 



Queen of the earth — O peerless one! 
Thine unveiled charms may none resist; 
But captive bow, all fairly done, 
And crowned by lovers thou hast kissed; 
Thy glorious mountains, bosom fair, 
Thy fertile valleys, graces rare ; 
Thy dazzling sunsets vanquish care — 
Dear California. 

Refrain 

By the Western sea 
Is the fairest lea — 
. No room for care 
In you or me; 
Hear the zephyr's tune 
In the tree-tops croon ! 
Hours flit by too soon 
In California! 

Here, sweet fulfillment of a dream, 
Edenic peace and beauty reign; 
While flower and fern and fragrance seem 
An endless, gorgeous, happy train. 
At eve, the star-gemmed crown of blue 
To raise the gaze from earth, will sue; 
No soul's forlorn who dares to woo 
Sweet California ! 

50 



